Mmusi Maimane Weighs In On Juju’s Threat To Withdraw Support

On Jun 13, 2017

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The leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) Mmusi Maimane says he’s not moved by Julius Malema’s threats to withdraw EFF supporters in DA-led regions if the blue party refuses to strip Helen Zille her premiership position.

Mmusi Maimane was speaking in response to Malema’s threat issues last week. The chief fighter had told the DA that Zille’s continuous stay is causing a huge consternation for the EFF, adding that the EFF voted for the party and not individuals.

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Malema said:

“Our problem in this country is the DA….The arrogance of the DA … you will see it in Helen Zille. We said this to them too many times and they refused to listen.

Those of us that vote with the DA in municipalities … when Zille says colonialism is okay, she is undermining the process of removing the corrupt ANC. Where is she getting the mandate if she continues to be a premier? Who is she representing? Our people elected the DA, not Zille. They want Zuma removed but don’t want to remove Zille. The DA is being playful again.”

Weighing on the matter on Monday, Maimane buttressed that the DA is a party of ‘due process’ and that it would await the outcome of a disciplinary hearing before a decision on any further action was taken.

“If the EFF are happy to ‘fold their arms’ and abstain from voting, then the people of South Africa must know that it was the EFF who handed power back to the corrupt, Gupta-controlled ANC,” he added.

The EFF’s votes led to the election of DA mayors in Johannesburg and Tshwane.

In his contribution, EFF secretary-general Godrich Gardee said the DA’s refusal to fire Zille means there is no difference between the party and the ANC, which prefers Zuma over the country.

Godrich maintained that the EFF has no contractual engagement with the DA neither are they in a coalition or friends but won’t hesitate to stop voting with them.

DA leader Maimane announced on Tuesday that he has accepted Helen Zille’s apology for saying colonialism’s legacy was not all negative and that all charges gainst her have been dropped.

Zille will, however, remain Western Cape premier, but will not participate in the party’s decision-making structures – the Federal Executive (FedEx), Federal Council and Provincial Council- and will limit her communication.

The decision to keep Zille after weighing up what is best for DA was as a result of Zille’s good record in the government, Maimane said.

Her apology letter reads:

“I realise the wounds of history that my tweet and subsequent defence of it has opened. In particular, I recognise that my actions were insensitive to South Africans who suffered under colonial oppression. For this, I am genuinely sorry.

During this period I have made public utterances that have had the effect of undermining the leader of the Democratic Alliance and the project he is leading. I greatly regret this. Mmusi Maimane is the democratically elected leader of the DA and we all must get behind his leadership.”

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The Western Cape premier was suspended last week after causing widespread offense in March for claiming that not all aspects of colonialism were negative.